Vandals target businesses

A NUMBER of businesses in Newry Street were believed to have been targeted by vandals with sling shots or pellet guns over the Christmas period.

Police confirmed that one of the nearby CCTV cameras is broken but said work is ongoing to fix it. At a recent council meeting, Chief Executive Liam Hannaway said he would take the issue surrounding the CCTV cameras to local police, while another councillor suggested the news Police Community Safety Partnership could be queried on the matter.

Police said they had received reports of two businesses, Hennings in Newry Street and Framed in Rathfriland Street, being damaged on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and the day after.

A spokesman said, “Shortly before 11pm on Monday December 26, it was reported that damage was caused to business premises at Rathfriland Street, Banbridge. It is believed that a window of a door was damaged.

“Sometime between 5:30pm on Saturday December 24 and 9.30am on Tuesday, December 27, it was reported that a window of a door of business premises at the Newry Street, Banbridge area was damaged.”

He said enquiries are ongoing in relation to the reports of criminal damage and police would ask anyone with information in relation to these incidents to contact them on 0845 600 8000.